State gives out emergency cash transfers

GOVERNMENT in conjunction with the World Food Programme (WFP) has started giving out emergency cash transfers to peri urban households that have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) National coordinator Chanda Kabwe said that one million households would benefit from the social cash transfer.

Mr Kabwe was speaking when Mika Group of Companies donated covid-19 preventive materials worth K 1.1 billion to DMMU.

Donated items included 300,000 face masks, 10,000 test kits and 300 litres of hand sanitizers.

The National Coordinator said that the exercise hds been rolled in Kafue which was badly affected by the pandemic.

He said that other towns which would benefit from the project were Lusaka, Livingstone, Ndola and Kitwe.

Mr Kabwe explained that the transfer value would range from K400 to K813 per month for each household.

The programme, he said, was aimed at supporting peri urban communities as most of the people in were in informal sector, hence there most affected by the Covid-19.

Meanwhile, Mr Kabwe has commended Mika Group of Companies for contributing towards the fight against Covid-19.

He said that amid the challenges faced by most businesses especially the hospitality industry, Mika has contributed to the fight.

And Mika Group of Companies Deputy chief executive officer, Tamson Tabama, said that Government had shown leadership by uniting all sectors of society in the fight against covid-19.

“We from the private sector have noted with gladness that the contribution structure and the guidelines put in place are working,” he said.

Mr Tabama said that Mika Group of Companies would support Government efforts in fighting Covid-19.